It's A Dundeel still under injury cloud

An abscess has come at the wrong time for It's A Dundeel and his path to the Cox Plate.

Mick Tsikas: AAP Image

Murray Baker will have a much better idea by mid-morning on Tuesday whether It's A Dundeel can line up in the Caulfield Stakes.

Speaking from New Zealand, the trainer said It's A Dundeel was due to have a shoe put on late on Monday after the abscess which has been plaguing him burst out of the heel earlier in the day.

"They are just putting the shoe on him and we're going to see what he's like in the morning," Baker said.

"But once the abscess burst in the heel, he's made very good progress today.

"So we've just got to see what he's like in the next couple of days."

Baker said if he was happy with the four-year-old he would canter around on Tuesday morning, and then if the horse was OK he would go to the beach to walk in the water.

"But if we're not happy with him, he won't work and he won't race on Saturday," Baker said.

The trainer said he was being guided by his stable representative in Melbourne and the vets.

"They've tried hard with him. It's just one of those things that couldn't have happened at a worse time," Baker said.

Other spring carnival news:

Craig Williams will miss Caulfield Guineas day after failing in his appeal against the severity of a careless riding ban. He loses the ride aboard Shamus Award in the Caulfield Guineas, while James McDonald picks up the ride aboard Speediness in the Toorak Handicap